Management of voice communications over long term evolution networks

ABSTRACT

A first network device in a network, such as an LTE network, configured to establish a default bearer between a node and the first network device. The first network device may transmit a first communication type between the first network device and the node over the a default bearer and receive a service request requesting the establishment of a dedicated bearer for the transmission of a second communication type between the first network device and the node, the service request requesting that the dedicated bearer have a quality of service higher than the quality of service of the default bearer. The first network device may transmit the second type of communication between the first network device and the node over the default bearer, establish the dedicated bearer, and then switch the transmission of the second type of communication from the default bearer to the dedicated bearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/711,835, filed Dec. 12, 2012, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to wireless communications andmore specifically to the setup of dedicated bearers and default bearersin a long term evolution LTE network for the transmission of voicecommunications over LTE networks (VoLTE).

BACKGROUND

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a wireless communication standard forhigh-speed data transmission for mobile phones and data terminals. Inorder to support voice calls, Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) was developed.VoLTE is based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network and enablesvoice service to be delivered as data within the LTE network. In currentwireless networks, such as LTE networks, voice data is successfullytransmitted over the network only if the requested resources areavailable at the moment a voice service request is received by a corewireless network. If the requested resources are not available, theservice request is denied and the transmission does not go through.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a first network device in a network, such asan LTE network, may be configured to establish a default bearer betweena node and the first network device. The default bearer being associatedwith a first Access Point Name (APN) residing on a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), the node wirelessly interfacing with theWTRU, and the default bearer having a quality of service. The firstnetwork device may transmit a first communication type between the firstnetwork device and the node over the default bearer; receive, at thefirst network device, a service request, the service request requestingthe establishment of a dedicated bearer for the transmission of a secondcommunication type between the first network device and the node, theservice request requesting that the dedicated bearer have a quality ofservice higher than the quality of service of the default bearer, theservice request originating from a second APN residing on the WTRU;transmit the second type of communication between the first networkdevice and the node over the default bearer; establish the dedicatedbearer; and switch, after the dedicated bearer is established, thetransmission of the second type of communication between the firstnetwork device and the node from the default bearer to the dedicatedbearer.

According to another embodiment, the dedicated bearer may be establishedafter transmitting the second type of communication between the firstnetwork device and the node over the default bearer.

In another embodiment, the first network device may determine, prior totransmitting the second type of communication between the first networkdevice and the node over the default bearer, that the required networkresources to establish the dedicated bearer are not available. In thisinstance, in order to establish the dedicated bearer, the first devicemay: 1) determine, after transmitting the second type of communicationbetween the first network device and the node over the default bearer,whether the required network resources are available to establish thededicated bearer; and 2) establish the dedicated bearer when therequired network resources are available.

In an embodiment, a method may include providing a message for a networkdevice, wherein based on the message a default bearer is establishedbetween a node and the network device, the default bearer beingassociated with a first Access Point Name (APN) of a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), the node wirelessly interfacing with theWTRU, the default bearer having a quality of service. A firstcommunication type may be transmitted between the network device and thenode over the default bearer. A service request may be provided to thenetwork device, in which the service request requests the establishmentof a dedicated bearer for the transmission of a second communicationtype between the network device and the node, the service requestrequesting that the dedicated bearer have a quality of service higherthan the quality of service of the default bearer, the service requestoriginating from a second APN associated with the WTRU. Afterestablishing a dedicated bearer, the second type of communication may betransmitted between the network device and the node from the defaultbearer to the dedicated bearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a system diagram of an example communications system in whichVoLTE methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example mobile device (also referredto as a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and/or as user equipment(UE)) that may be used within the communications system illustrated inFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a system diagram of an example radio access network and anexample core network that may be used within the communications systemillustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary LTE communication network.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate exemplary operations of the LTE network

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary mobile device inwhich VoLTE methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary processor in whichVoLTE methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a non-limiting exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichVoLTE methods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary architecture of a typicalGPRS network, segmented into four groups, in which VoLTE methods andsystems may be implemented.

FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting alternate block diagram of anexemplary GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which VoLTEmethods and systems may be implemented.

FIG. 9 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which VoLTE may be incorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A is a diagram of an example communications system 100 in whichVoLTE systems and methods as disclosed herein may be implemented. Thecommunications system 100 may be a multiple access system that providescontent, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc., tomultiple wireless users. The communications system 100 may enablemultiple wireless users to access such content through the sharing ofsystem resources, including wireless bandwidth. For example, thecommunications systems 100 may employ one or more channel accessmethods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and the like. Acommunications system such as that shown in FIG. 1A may also be referredto herein as a network.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the communications system 100 may include wirelesstransmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, a radioaccess network (RAN) 104, a core network 106, a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and other networks 112,though it will be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments contemplateany number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/or network elements.Each of the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may be any type of deviceconfigured to operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. Byway of example, the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may be configuredto transmit and/or receive wireless signals and may include userequipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile device, a fixed or mobilesubscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer,a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.

The communications systems 100 may also include a base station 114 a anda base station 114 b. Each of the base stations 114 a, 114 b may be anytype of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one ofthe WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d to facilitate access to one or morecommunication networks, such as the core network 106, the Internet 110,and/or the networks 112. By way of example, the base stations 114 a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a HomeNode B, a Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), awireless router, and the like. While the base stations 114 a, 114 b areeach depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the basestations 114 a, 114 b may include any number of interconnected basestations and/or network elements.

The base station 114 a may be part of the RAN 104, which may alsoinclude other base stations and/or network elements (not shown), such asa base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relaynodes, etc. The base station 114 a and/or the base station 114 b may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals within aparticular geographic region, which may be referred to as a cell (notshown). The cell may further be divided into cell sectors. For example,the cell associated with the base station 114 a may be divided intothree sectors. Thus, in an embodiment, the base station 114 a mayinclude three transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. Inanother embodiment, the base station 114 a may employ multiple-inputmultiple output (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize multipletransceivers for each sector of the cell.

The base stations 114 a, 114 b may communicate with one or more of theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d over an air interface 116, which may beany suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF),microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). Theair interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio accesstechnology (RAT).

More specifically, as noted above, the communications system 100 may bea multiple access system and may employ one or more channel accessschemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and the like. Forexample, the base station 114 a in the RAN 104 and the WTRUs 102 a, 102b, 102 c may implement a radio technology such as Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) thatmay establish the air interface 116 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMAmay include communication protocols such as High-Speed Packet Access(HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA) and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).

In another embodiment, the base station 114 a and the WTRUs 102 a, 102b, 102 c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

In other embodiments, the base station 114 a and the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b,102 c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.16 (i.e.,Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000,CDMA2000 1×, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), InterimStandard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System forMobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), and the like.

The base station 114 b in FIG. 1A may be a wireless router, Home Node B,Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may utilize any suitableRAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in a localized area, such asa place of business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, and the like. In oneembodiment, the base station 114 b and the WTRUs 102 c, 102 d mayimplement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN). In another embodiment, the base station 114 band the WTRUs 102 c, 102 d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yetanother embodiment, the base station 114 b and the WTRUs 102 c, 102 dmay utilize a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE,LTE-A, etc.) to establish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 1A,the base station 114 b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110.Thus, the base station 114 b may not be required to access the Internet110 via the core network 106.

The RAN 104 may be in communication with the core network 106, which maybe any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications,and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more ofthe WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d. For example, the core network 106may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-basedservices, pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution,etc., and/or perform high-level security functions, such as userauthentication. Although not shown in FIG. 1A, it will be appreciatedthat the RAN 104 and/or the core network 106 may be in direct orindirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as theRAN 104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connectedto the RAN 104, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology, thecore network 106 may also be in communication with another RAN (notshown) employing a GSM radio technology.

The core network 106 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102 a,102 b, 102 c, 102 d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and/orother networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include circuit-switched telephonenetworks that provide plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks anddevices that use common communication protocols, such as thetransmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) andthe internet protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. Thenetworks 112 may include wired or wireless communications networks ownedand/or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks112 may include another core network connected to one or more RANs,which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a different RAT.

Some or all of the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d in thecommunications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities, i.e., theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d may include multiple transceivers forcommunicating with different wireless networks over different wirelesslinks. For example, the WTRU 102 c shown in FIG. 1A may be configured tocommunicate with the base station 114 a, which may employ acellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 114 b, whichmay employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example WTRU 102. As shown in FIG. 1B,the WTRU 102 may include a processor 118, a transceiver 120, atransmit/receive element 122, a speaker/microphone 124, a keypad 126, adisplay/touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, apower source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, andother peripherals 138. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 mayinclude any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remainingconsistent with an embodiment.

The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a special purposeprocessor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in associationwith a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs)circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine,and the like. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, dataprocessing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any otherfunctionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wirelessenvironment. The processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120,which may be coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 1Bdepicts the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separatecomponents, it will be appreciated that the processor 118 and thetransceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package orchip.

The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit signalsto, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g., the base station 114a) over the air interface 116. For example, in one embodiment, thetransmit/receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to transmitand/or receive RF signals. In another embodiment, the transmit/receiveelement 122 may be an emitter/detector configured to transmit and/orreceive IR, UV, or visible light signals, for example. In yet anotherembodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured totransmit and receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciatedthat the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmitand/or receive any combination of wireless signals.

In addition, although the transmit/receive element 122 is depicted inFIG. 1B as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include any number oftransmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRU 102 mayemploy MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the WTRU 102 mayinclude two or more transmit/receive elements 122 (e.g., multipleantennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the airinterface 116.

The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the signals that areto be transmitted by the transmit/receive element 122 and to demodulatethe signals that are received by the transmit/receive element 122. Asnoted above, the WTRU 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, thetransceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as UTRA and IEEE 802.11, forexample.

The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may receiveuser input data from, the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/orthe display/touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) displayunit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor118 may also output user data to the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad126, and/or the display/touchpad 128. In addition, the processor 118 mayaccess information from, and store data in, any type of suitable memory,such as the non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory 132.The non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storagedevice. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identitymodule (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card,and the like. In other embodiments, the processor 118 may accessinformation from, and store data in, memory that is not physicallylocated on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home computer (notshown).

The processor 118 may receive power from the power source 134, and maybe configured to distribute and/or control the power to the othercomponents in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitabledevice for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 mayinclude one or more dry cell batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd),nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion),etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, and the like.

The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset 136, which maybe configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude andlatitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU 102. In additionto, or in lieu of, the information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU102 may receive location information over the air interface 116 from abase station (e.g., base stations 114 a, 114 b) and/or determine itslocation based on the timing of the signals being received from two ormore nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 mayacquire location information by way of any suitablelocation-determination method while remaining consistent with anembodiment.

The processor 118 may further be coupled to other peripherals 138, whichmay include one or more software and/or hardware modules that provideadditional features, functionality and/or wired or wirelessconnectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include anaccelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera(for photographs or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port, avibration device, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, aBluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digitalmusic player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internetbrowser, and the like.

FIG. 1C is a system diagram of the RAN 104 and the core network 106according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ anE-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, and102 c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also be incommunication with the core network 106.

The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, 140 c, though it will beappreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of eNode-Bs whileremaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, 140c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c over the air interface 116. In one embodiment,the eNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, 140 c may implement MIMO technology. Thus,the eNode-B 140 a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmitwireless signals to, and receive wireless signals from, the WTRU 102 a.

Each of the eNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, and 140 c may be associated with aparticular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radioresource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of usersin the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1C, theeNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, 140 c may communicate with one another over an X2interface.

The core network 106 shown in FIG. 1C may include a mobility managementgateway or entity (MME) 142, a serving gateway 144, and a packet datanetwork (PDN) gateway 146. While each of the foregoing elements aredepicted as part of the core network 106, it will be appreciated thatany one of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entityother than the core network operator.

The MME 142 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 140 a, 140 b, 140 cin the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a control node. Forexample, the MME 142 may be responsible for authenticating users of theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, bearer activation/deactivation, selecting aparticular serving gateway during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102 a,102 b, 102 c, and the like. The MME 142 may also provide a control planefunction for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown)that employ other radio technologies, such as GSM or WCDMA.

The serving gateway 144 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 140 a,140 b, and 140 c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface. The servinggateway 144 may generally route and forward user data packets to/fromthe WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c. The serving gateway 144 may also performother functions, such as anchoring user planes during inter-eNode Bhandovers, triggering paging when downlink data is available for theWTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, managing and storing contexts of the WTRUs102 a, 102 b, 102 c, and the like.

The serving gateway 144 may also be connected to the PDN gateway 146,which may provide the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c with access topacket-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitatecommunications between the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c and IP-enableddevices.

The core network 106 may facilitate communications with other networks.For example, the core network 106 may provide the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b,102 c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, tofacilitate communications between the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c andtraditional land-line communications devices. For example, the corenetwork 106 may include, or may communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g.,an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interfacebetween the core network 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the corenetwork 106 may provide the WTRUs 102 a, 102 b, 102 c with access to thenetworks 112, which may include other wired or wireless networks thatare owned and/or operated by other service providers.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary LTE communication network 200, which isan alternative embodiment of communication system 100 that supports theimplementation of the VoLTE systems and methods as disclosed herein. LTEnetwork 200 may include one or more: WTRUs, such as WTRU 202; basestations, such as enodeB 204; a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 244; aHome Subscriber Server (HSS) 246; bearers 220-228; a gateway 230; aPolicy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 250; a Master IT and NetworkDatabase (MIND) 252; a PSTN 108, such as telephone network 236 a;another network 112, such as IMS domain 136 b; and the internet (notshown). MIND 252 is responsible for providing subscriber information toother network elements. The subscriber information, for example, can beused for routing messages, for the validation of services, and forenabling other data services. WTRU 202 and enodeB 204 may comprise aradio network 240. HSS 246, MME 246, bearers 220-228, MIND 252, PCRF 250and gateway 230 may comprise network devices in a core wired network238.

WTRU 202 may communicate wirelessly with enodeB 204 through at least oneAccess Point Name (APN) pre-provisioned on the WTRU and stored in memoryof the WTRU (such as non-removable memory 130 and removable memory 132from FIG. 1B). An APN specifies the external networks that a WTRU canaccess and may define one or more of a type of IP address to use, whichsecurity mechanisms to invoke, and which fixed-end connections to use.The APNs available to a WTRU are specified as part of the subscriberaccount. A mobile station can have access to more than one APN, thoughthe specific APN used depends on the type of data being exchangedbetween the WTRU and a network.

In an embodiment, WTRU 202 may contain a first APN 206 and a second APN208. First APN 206 may be a phone APN while second APN 208 may be an IMSAPN. First APN 206 and second APN 208 may each allow multipleapplications residing on WTRU 202 to connect with node 204 viaconnections 206 a, 206 b and 208 a-208 d, respectively. Each ofconnections 206 a, 206 b, and 208 a-208 d may support a different typeof communication type. Connection 206 a may be an email connection whileconnection 206 b may be a browser connection. Connection 208 a may be aSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling connection, connection 208 bmay be a Voice over IP (VoIP) Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) mediaconnection, connection 208 c may be a video RTP connection, andconnection 208 d may be a messaging traffic connection. WTRU 202, APN206, APN 208, and node 204 may collectively be referred to as radionetwork 240.

Service requests 242 may be a type of control information generated byWTRU 202 and APN 206 or APN 208 in response to a user input. Exemplaryuser inputs may be user inputted data and/or voice communications. Aswill be explained further below with respect to FIG. 3, a servicerequest 242 details specific network 200 resources requested by APN 208to successfully transmit the user inputted data and/or voicecommunications. Once generated, the service request 242 may betransmitted to Node 204. Node 204 may then transmit the service requests242 received from APN 206 and APN 208 to the core wired network 238where it may be received by MME 244.

Upon receipt, MME 244, in cooperation with HSS 246, which is connectedto MME 244, may receive service requests, authenticate the WTRUassociated with the user inputs, and, after authentication, transmit anauthorized service request 248 to gateway 230. HSS 246 may be a databasecontaining subscription-related information related to a plurality ofusers (for example user profiles and user account information).

PCRF 250 and MIND 252, which is connected to PCRF 250, may be connectedto and enhance control information with gateway 230 and/or IMS domain336 a. MIND 252 may store user profiles and information relating to usersubscription levels. PCRF 250 and MIND 252 may receive controlinformation, such as the authorized service request 248, from gateway230 and, in real-time, determine policy rules relating to the userand/or WTRU associated with the authorized service request 248.Exemplary policy rules may include Quality of Service (QoS) levels andfeatures available to specific user based on that user's profile and/orsubscription level. The PCRF may communicate the policy information tothe gateway 230 and/or network 136 via policy control signals 254.

Gateway 230, in cooperation with node 204, establishes one or more ofexemplary bearers 220-228 based on one or both of authorized servicerequests 248 and policy control signals 254. Once established, gateway230 may send/receive data with node 204 via one or more of bearers220-228. Exemplary bearers 220-228 may include: guaranteed bit rate(GBR) connections 210, 212 for Evolved Packet System (EPS) firstdedicated bearer 220 (for voice RTP) and EPS 2nd Dedicated bearer 222(for video RTP), respectively; and non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR)links 214, 216, 218 with EPS default bearer 224 (for browsing and email)EPS default bearer 226 (for IMS signaling), and 3rd EPS dedicated bearer228 (for Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP) messaging) respectively.

Gateway 230 may include two gateways: P gateway 232 and P gateway 234. Pgateway 232 may be associated with the phone APN (first APN 206) while Pgateway 234 may be associated with the IMS APN (second APN 208). Pgateway 232 may set up EPS default bearer 224 and P gateway 232 may setup EPS 1st Dedicated bearer 220 and EPS 2nd Dedicated bearer 222, EPSdefault bearer 226, and 3rd EPS dedicated bearer 228.

Once one or more of bearers 220-228 are set up, gateway 230 may passinformation between at least one of telephone network 136 a or IMSdomain 136 b and one or more of bearers 220-228. The IMS domain 136 bmay contain network elements corresponding to the IMS APN 208. The phonedomain 136 a may contain network elements associated with the phone APN206. One or more of bearers 220-228, gateway 230, network 236, MME 244,HSS 246, PCRF 250, and MIND 252 may collectively be referred to as theEPS network 238.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A illustrate an exemplary operation 300A of network 200according to an embodiment. In block 302, WTRU 202 is turned on. Inblock 304, APN 206 sends a first control information service request 242a. As APN 206 may be the first APN utilized by the mobile device and canservice a variety of low QoS applications via connections 206 a, 206 b,APN 206 may be referred to as a generic APN. Further, since APN 206 canservice a variety of lower QoS applications; first service request 242 amay request a non-GBR connection, such as link 214, and a bearer able totransmit information that is suited for a GBR connection. In block 306,the MME 244, in cooperation with the HSS 246, receives the servicerequest 242 a and attempts to authenticate the first service request 242a and/or WTRU 202. If the first service request 242 a and/or WTRU 202 isnot authenticated, the operation 300 continues onto block 308 whereoperation 300A may end. If the service request 242 a and/or WTRU 202 isauthenticated, MME 244 prepares and sends a first authorized servicerequest 248 a to gateway 230 in block 310. In block 312, the gateway 230may share the first authorized service request 248 a to the PCRF 250 andMIND 152. In block 314, the gateway 230 may receive a first policycontrol signal 248 a is response. In block 316, the gateway 214 may setup bearer 224 in response to the received first authorization request248 a and/or the first policy control signal 248 a. As bearer 224 may beestablished before bearers 220, 222, 226, and 228 and is associated withgeneric APN 208, bearer 224 may be described as a default bearer.Default Bearer 224 is connected to a non-GBR link 214 and may transmitinformation between WTRU 202 and the wired network 236 that does notpreferably sent using a high quality of service (QoS) connection, suchas, for example, a Short Message Service (SMS) message, internet browsertrack, or information initiating a telephone call.

Continuing with FIGS. 2 and 3A, in block 318 WTRU 202 may receive a userinput 201 in the form of a voice input (e.g., the user speaking intoWTRU 202). In block 320, in response to the user input 201, APN 208 maysend a second service request 242 b through node 208 to MME 244. Theservice request 242 b may be sent in order to establish VoIPcommunications in LTE communication network 200, which may be referredto as VoLTE communications. APN 208 may be a designated APN for VoLTEcommunications and may therefore be referred to as a designated APN. Thesecond service request 242 b may detail the specific resources requestedby APN 208 to successfully transmit the voice information, such asrequested radio network 240 and core wired network 238 resources. Forexample, in order to support VoLTE communications, the second servicerequest 242 b may requested the establishment of a dedicated bearer witha high QoS (such as, for example, bearer 220), a specific connection(such as, for example, connection 208 c) and a GBR link (such as, forexample, link 210).

In block 322 of FIG. 3A, upon receipt of the second service request 242b, MME 244 in cooperation with the HSS 246 receives the second servicerequest 242 b and attempts to authenticate second service request 242 band/or WTRU 202. If the second service request 242 b and/or WTRU 202 arenot authenticated, operation 300A may proceed to block 324 where it mayend. If the user is authenticated, operation 300A may proceed to block326 where a second authorized service request 248 b is sent to gateway230. The second service request 248 b may detail the specific resourcesrequested by APN 208, such as those radio network 240 and core wirednetwork 238 resources requested to successfully transmit VoLTEcommunications. For example, the second service request 242 b mayrequest the establishment of a dedicated bearer with a high QoS (suchas, for example, bearer 220), a VoIP connection (such as, for example,connection 208 c) and a GBR link (such as, for example, link 210). Inblock 328, the gateway 230 may share the second authorized servicerequest 248 b with the PCRF 250 and/or MIND 252. In block 330, the PCRFmay send a second policy control signal 248 b to gateway 230 isresponse. In block 332, the gateway 230 may determine if the resourcesare currently available to meet the requests of the second authorizedservice request 248 b and the policy control signal 254 b. In anembodiment, gateway 230 may only consider the availability of resourcesrequested by the service request in block 332 and not information aboutthe call itself (for example, a personal call as opposed to a businesscall or an emergency call) or the WTRU 202.

If the requested resources are not available when the secondauthorization request is received, operation 300A proceeds to block 336.In block 336, second the service request 242 b from APN 208 may bedenied. If a service request is denied, a user may manually retry by,for example, resubmitting the user input 201 at block 318 until aservice request for VoLTE communications is granted. If a servicerequest is denied and a dedicated bearer is not set up, a user input 201may not result in the transmission of the user's voice information butthe user may not be otherwise informed of the denial. Similarly, gateway230 may not be able to inform the user when the requested resourcesbecome available, forcing the user to repeatedly reenter the user input201 until a service request for VoLTE communications is granted.

If the resources are available, operation 200 may proceed to block 334.In block 334, the second service request 242 b from APN 208 may begranted and the dedicated bearer 220, which fulfills the requests withinthe second service request 242 b, may be set up. As bearer 220 may beestablished in accordance with the requests contained in the secondservice request 242 b and may be dedicated to the transmission of VoIPcommunications, bearer 220 may be referred to as a dedicated bearer.Dedicated Bearer 220 may be connected to GBR link 210 and transmitinformation between WTRU 202 and the wired network 236 that ispreferably sent using a high quality of service (QoS) connection, suchas, for example, VoIP communications.

According to an exemplary embodiment, gateway 230 may receive aplurality of authorized service requests 248 originating from aplurality of service requests 242 from WTRU 202. Upon receipt, the corewired network 238 may not have any knowledge of the current ability ofthe wired network to grant its request. Thus, when core wired network238 resources are available or become available, the core wired network238 (and in particular gateway 230) may grant the plurality ofauthorized service requests 248 and set up a dedicated bearer on a“first come, first served” basis.

FIG. 3B illustrates another exemplary operation 300B of network 200according to an embodiment. Blocks 302-330 of operation 300B aredescribed above in connection with FIG. 3A. From block 330, operation300 proceeds to block 340. In block 340, gateway 230 may, upon receiptof the second authorized service request 248 b, instantaneously beginusing default bearer 124 to transmit/receive VoLTE communications.Gateway 230 may begin using default bearer 124 to support VoLTEcommunications before determining whether the network resources areavailable to grant the second authorized service request 248 b byestablishing a dedicated bearer. Default bearer 124 may be used totransmit VoLTE traffic even though it does not have a high enough QoS tofulfill that of the service request 242 b. Accordingly, while the VoLTEcommunications being transmitted over the default bearer 224 may sufferfrom poor QoS as compared to the QoS offered by a dedicated bearer, theVoLTE communications may begin flowing instantaneously, regardless ofthe core wired network's 238 ability to establish a dedicated bearer inresponse to the second service request 242 b. After the default bearer124 begins supporting VoLTE communication, operation 300B may continueonto block 342.

In block 342, the gateway 230 may determine if the resources arecurrently available to establish a bearer which satisfies the requestsof the second authorized service request 248 b and the policy controlsignal 254 b. If the requested resources are not available when thesecond authorization request 242 b is received, gateway 230 may repeatblock 342. If the resources are available, operation 300B grant therequest and proceed to block 344.

In block 344, the second service request 242 b from APN 208 may begranted and the dedicated bearer 220, which fulfills the requestscontained within the second service request 242 b, may be set up.Dedicated bearer 220 may be established in accordance with the requestscontained in the second service request 242 b and may be dedicated tothe transmission of VoLTE communications. Dedicated Bearer 220 may beconnected to GBR link 210 and transmit information between WTRU 202 andthe wired network 236 that requests a high quality of service (QoS)connection, such as VoLTE communications. Once dedicated bearer 220 hasbeen set up, the VoLTE communications may be switched from defaultbearer 224 to dedicated bearer 220 in block 346.

FIG. 3C illustrates another exemplary operation 300C of network 200according to an embodiment. Blocks 302-334 of operation are describedabove in connection with FIG. 3A. If, in block 332, the gateway 230determines that the requested resources are not available to establish adedicated bearer which satisfies the requests of the second authorizedservice request 248 b and/or the policy control signal 254 b, process300C may continue to block 350. In block 350, gateway 230 may usedefault bearer 124 to transmit/receive VoLTE communications. Defaultbearer 124 may be used to transmit VoLTE traffic even though it does nothave a high enough QoS to fulfill that of the service request 242 b.Accordingly, while the VoLTE communications being transmitted over thedefault bearer 224 may suffer from poor QoS, the VoLTE communicationsbut will be transmitted/received successfully. After the default bearer124 begins supporting VoLTE traffic, operation 300C may continue ontoblock 352.

In block 352, the gateway 230 may determine if the resources arecurrently available to establish a bearer which satisfies the requestsof the second authorized service request 248 b and the policy controlsignal 254 b. If the requested resources are not available when thesecond authorization request 242 b is received, gateway 230 may repeatblock 352. If the resources are available, operation 300C may proceed toblock 354.

In block 354, the second service request 242 b from APN 208 may begranted and the dedicated bearer 220, which fulfills the requestscontained within the second service request 242 b, may be set up.Dedicated bearer 220 may be established in accordance with the requestscontained in the second service request 242 b and may be dedicated tothe transmission of VoIP communications. Dedicated Bearer 220 may beconnected to GBR link 210 and transmit information between WTRU 202 andthe wired network 236 that requests a high quality of service (QoS)connection, such as, for example, VoLTE communications. Once dedicatedbearer 220 has been set up, the VoLTE communications may be switchedfrom default bearer 224 to dedicated bearer 220 in block 356

In accordance with an embodiment, while the default bearer 124 is beingused to transmit VoLTE communications, the QoS of the default bearer 124may be temporarily improved. For example, once the default bearer 124begins supporting VoLTE communications, such as in block 340 in process300B and block 350 in process 300C, gateway 230 may improve the QoS ofthe default bearer 124 in order to improve the quality of the VoLTEcommunications passing there through. Once the VoLTE traffic is switchedover to a dedicated bearer, such in block 346 of process 300B and block356 of processes 300C, the QoS of the default bearer 124 may be reducedback down to normal levels by the gateway 230.

In accordance with another embodiment, if default bearer 224 issupporting VoLTE communications because the resources are not availableto set up a dedicated bearer, gateway 230 may plan ahead for when therequested resources become available in the future. The gateway 230 mayestablish such a plan for the future when, for example, the defaultbearer 124 is supporting VoLTE communications in block 340 in process300B and block 350 in process 300C prior to the availability of theresources requested to establish a dedicated bearer in block 344 inprocess 300B and in block 352 in process 300C.

Gateway 230 may plan for the future availability of resources where, forexample, the gateway 230 has received multiple VoLTE service requests242 from one or more WTRUs but does not have the current resourcesavailable to grant any of the service requests 242. The gateway 230 mayplan for the future by evaluating each service request and establishingan order in which the requests should be granted once the requestedresources become available, with the highest priority service requests242 being granted before lower priority service requests 242. Thegateway 320 may also take into account the nature of the VoLTE requestwhen planning for the future. The nature of VoLTE requests may refer toinformation such as, for example: whether the service request relates toan emergency call, a business call, or a personal call; accountinformation associated with the WTRU (such as, for example, whether theWTRU is associated with a premium vs. standard account); and profileinformation associated with the WTRU (such as, for example, a userprofile of the user of the WTRU). Such information may be stored in, forexample, MME 244, HSS 246, PCRF 250, MIND 252, telephone network 236 a,IMS domain 136 b, and/or the internet (now shown) and accessed by thegateway 230.

While the above description involves a service request 242 for VoLTEcommunications, it should be appreciated that FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C applyequally to other types of service requests 242 requiring a dedicatedbearer. Further, in connection with, for example, blocks 306, 322, 332,342, and 352, it should be appreciated that the gateway 230 may actalone or in combination with one or more of MME 244, HSS 246, PCRF 250,and MIND 252.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example wireless device 1010 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to otherfigures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example, mobiledevices 102 and 210 may be wireless devices of the type described inregard to FIG. 4, and may have some, all, or none of the components andmodules described in regard to FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that thecomponents and modules of wireless device 1010 illustrated in FIG. 4 areillustrative, and that any number and type of components and/or modulesmay be present in wireless device 1010. In addition, the functionsperformed by any or all of the components and modules illustrated inFIG. 4 may be performed by any number of physical components. Thus, itis possible that in some embodiments the functionality of more than onecomponent and/or module illustrated in FIG. 4 may be performed by anynumber or types of hardware and/or software.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1010. In one embodiment, processor 1021executes software (i.e., computer-readable instructions stored on atangible computer-readable medium) that may include functionalityrelated to VoLTE methods and systems, for example. User interface module1022 may be any type or combination of hardware and/or software thatenables a user to operate and interact with wireless device 1010, and,in one embodiment, to interact with a system or software enabling theuser to place, request, and/or receive calls, text communications of anytype, voicemail, voicemail notifications, voicemail content and/or data,charging and/or billing data, and/or a system or software enabling theuser to view, modify, or delete related software objects. For example,user interface module 1022 may include a display, physical and/or “soft”keys, voice recognition software, a microphone, a speaker and the like.Wireless communication module 1023 may be any type of transceiverincluding any combination of hardware and/or software that enableswireless device 1010 to communicate with wireless network equipment.Memory 1024 enables wireless device 1010 to store information, such asAPNs, MNCs, MCCs, text communications content and associated data,multimedia content, software to efficiently process radio resourcerequests and service requests, and radio resource request processingpreferences and configurations. Memory 1024 may take any form, such asinternal random access memory (RAM), an SD card, a microSD card and thelike. Power supply 1025 may be a battery or other type of power input(e.g., a charging cable that is connected to an electrical outlet, etc.)that is capable of powering wireless device 1010. SIM 1026 may be anytype Subscriber Identity Module and may be configured on a removable ornon-removable SIM card that allows wireless device 1010 to store data onSIM 1026.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the embodiments described herein, including as one ormore components of FIGS. 1A-4, and/or any related equipment, and/or asone or more components of any third party system or subsystem that mayimplement any portion of the subject matter described herein. It isemphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 5 is exemplary andnot intended to imply a specific implementation. Thus, the processor1158 can be implemented in a single processor or multiple processors.Multiple processors can be distributed or centrally located. Multipleprocessors can communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or a combinationthereof.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the processor 1158 comprises a processing portion1160, a memory portion 1162, and an input/output portion 1164. Theprocessing portion 1160, memory portion 1162, and input/output portion1164 are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 5) to allowcommunications between these portions. The input/output portion 1164 iscapable of providing and/or receiving components, commands, and/orinstructions, utilized to, for example, transmit and/or receiveconfiguration data, transmit and receive device condition data,establish and terminate communications sessions, transmit and receiveservice requests and data access request data and responses, transmit,receive, store and process text, data, and voice communications, executesoftware that efficiently processes radio resource requests, receive andstore service requests and radio resource requests, radio resourcerequest processing preferences and configurations, and/or perform anyother function described herein.

The processor 1158 may be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with establishing, transmitting, receiving, and/orprocessing text, data, and/or voice communications,communications-related data and/or content, voice calls, othertelephonic communications, etc. For example, the memory portion iscapable of storing condition and event data, configuration commands,profiles, thresholds, APNs, MNCs, MCCs, service requests, radio resourcerequests, QoS and/or APN parameters, software for VoLTE, device and linkstatus, condition, and congestion data, text and data communications,calls, voicemail, multimedia content, visual voicemail applications,etc. Depending upon the exact configuration and type of processor, thememory portion 1162 can be volatile (such as RAM) 1166, non-volatile(such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or a combination thereof. Theprocessor 1158 can have additional features/functionality. For example,the processor 1158 may include additional storage (removable storage1170 and/or non-removable storage 1172) including, but not limited to,magnetic or optical disks, tape, flash, smart cards or a combinationthereof. Computer storage media, such as memory and storage elements1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168, may be tangible storage media that mayinclude volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,universal serial bus (USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any othermedium that can be used to store the desired information and that can beaccessed by the processor 1158. Any such computer storage media may bepart of the processor 1158.

The processor 1158 may also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through a radio access network (RAN). Communicationsconnection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection as might be used with a land line telephone, andwireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, cellular, and otherwireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein mayinclude both storage media and communication media. The processor 1158also may have input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard, keypad, mouse, pen,voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 1174 suchas a display, speakers, printer, etc. also may be included.

A RAN as described herein may comprise any telephony radio network, orany other type of communications network, wireline or wireless, or anycombination thereof. The following description sets forth some exemplarytelephony radio networks, such as the global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), and non-limiting operating environments. Thebelow-described operating environments should be considerednon-exhaustive, however, and thus the below-described networkarchitectures merely show how VoLTE methods and systems may beimplemented with stationary and non-stationary network structures andarchitectures. It will be appreciated, however, that VoLTE methods andsystems as described herein may be incorporated with existing and/orfuture alternative architectures for communication networks as well.

The GSM is one of the most widely utilized wireless access systems intoday's fast growing communication environment. The GSM providescircuit-switched data services to subscribers, such as mobile telephoneor computer users. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which is anextension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSMnetworks. The GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication technologyto transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an efficientmanner. The GPRS attempts to optimize the use of network and radioresources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of GSMnetwork resources for packet mode applications.

The exemplary GSM/GPRS environment and services described herein alsomay be extended to 3G services, such as Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem (UMTS), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time DivisionDuplexing (TDD), High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPDA), cdma2000 1×Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), Code Division Multiple Access-2000(cdma2000 3×), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), EnhancedData GSM Environment (EDGE), International MobileTelecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (DECT), 4G Services such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), LTE-Advanced. etc., as well as to other network services thatbecome available in time. In this regard, VoLTE methods and systems maybe implemented independently of the method of data transport and doesnot depend on any particular network architecture or underlyingprotocols.

FIG. 6 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichVoLTE systems and methods such as those described herein may bepracticed. In an example configuration, any RAN as described herein maybe encompassed by or interact with the network environment depicted inFIG. 6. Similarly, mobile devices 102 and 210 may communicate orinteract with a network environment such as that depicted in FIG. 6. Insuch an environment, there may be a plurality of Base Station Subsystems(BSS) 900 (only one is shown), each of which comprises a Base StationController (BSC) 902 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations(BTS) such as BTSs 904, 906, and 908. BTSs 904, 906, 908, etc. are theaccess points where users of packet-based mobile devices (e.g., mobiledevices 102 and 210) become connected to the wireless network. Inexemplary fashion, the packet traffic originating from user devices(e.g., mobile devices 102 and 210) may be transported via anover-the-air interface to a BTS 908, and from the BTS 908 to the BSC902. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 900, may be a part of internalframe relay network 910 that can include Service GPRS Support Nodes(SGSN) such as SGSN 912 and 914. Each SGSN may be connected to aninternal packet network 920 through which a SGSN 912, 914, etc., mayroute data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRS support nodes(GGSN) 922, 924, 926, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 914 and GGSNs 922, 924,and 926 may be part of internal packet network 920. Gateway GPRS servingnodes 922, 924 and 926 may provide an interface to external InternetProtocol (IP) networks, such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 950,corporate intranets 940, or Fixed-End System (FES) or the publicInternet 930. As illustrated, subscriber corporate network 940 may beconnected to GGSN 924 via firewall 932, and PLMN 950 may be connected toGGSN 924 via border gateway router 934. The Remote AuthenticationDial-In User Service (RADIUS) server 942 may be used for callerauthentication when a user of a mobile cellular device calls corporatenetwork 940.

Generally, there may be four different cell sizes in a GSM network,referred to as macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage areaof each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells may beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells may betypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells may be used mainly indoors.On the other hand, umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regionsof smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network segmentedinto four groups: users 1050, radio access network 1060, core network1070, and interconnect network 1080. Users 1050 may comprise a pluralityof end users (although only mobile subscriber 1055 is shown in FIG. 7).In an example embodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 1055may comprise any of mobile devices 102 and 210. Radio access network1060 comprises a plurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 1062,which include BTSs 1064 and BSCs 1066. Core network 1070 comprises ahost of various network elements. As illustrated here, core network 1070may comprise Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 1071, Service Control Point(SCP) 1072, gateway MSC 1073, SGSN 1076, Home Location Register (HLR)1074, Authentication Center (AuC) 1075, Domain Name Server (DNS) 1077,and GGSN 1078. Interconnect network 1080 may also comprise a host ofvarious networks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 7,interconnect network 1080 comprises Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 1082, Fixed-End System (FES) or Internet 1084, firewall 1088, andCorporate Network 1089.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 1071, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082 through Gateway MSC (GMSC)1073, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 1076 that may send the datatraffic to GGSN 1078 for further forwarding.

When MSC 1071 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 1066, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 1072. The SCP 1072 may processthe request and may issue a response to MSC 1071 so that it may continuecall processing as appropriate.

The HLR 1074 may be a centralized database for users to register to theGPRS network. In some embodiments, HLR/HSS 246 may be a device such asHLR 1074. HLR 1074 may store static information about the subscriberssuch as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), APNprofiles, profiles as disclosed herein, subscribed services, and a keyfor authenticating the subscriber. HLR 1074 may also store dynamicsubscriber information such as dynamic APN profiles and the currentlocation of the mobile subscriber. HLR 1074 may also serve to interceptand determine the validity of destination numbers in messages sent froma device, such as mobile subscriber 1055, as described herein.Associated with HLR 1074 may be AuC 1075. AuC 1075 may be a databasethat contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers and mayinclude the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as mobile devices 102 and 210, used by an end user of amobile cellular service or a wireless provider. When a mobile subscriberturns on his or her mobile device, the mobile device may go through anattach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of theGPRS network. In FIG. 7, when mobile subscriber 1055 initiates theattach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request may be sent by mobile subscriber 1055 to SGSN1076. The SGSN 1076 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber1055 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 1055.Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber 1055 from the otherSGSN, SGSN 1076 may request more information from mobile subscriber1055. This information may be used to authenticate mobile subscriber1055 to SGSN 1076 by HLR 1074. Once verified, SGSN 1076 sends a locationupdate to HLR 1074 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, inthis case SGSN 1076. HLR 1074 may notify the old SGSN, to which mobilesubscriber 1055 was attached before, to cancel the location process formobile subscriber 1055. HLR 1074 may then notify SGSN 1076 that thelocation update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 1076 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 1076.

After attaching itself to the network, mobile subscriber 1055 may thengo through the authentication process. In the authentication process,SGSN 1076 may send the authentication information to HLR 1074, which maysend information back to SGSN 1076 based on the user profile that waspart of the user's initial setup. The SGSN 1076 may then send a requestfor authentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 1055. The mobilesubscriber 1055 may use an algorithm to send the user identification(ID) and password to SGSN 1076. The SGSN 1076 may use the same algorithmand compares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 1076 authenticatesmobile subscriber 1055.

Next, the mobile subscriber 1055 may establish a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 1089, by going through a PacketData Protocol (PDP) activation process. Briefly, in the process, mobilesubscriber 1055 may request access to an Access Point Name (APN), forexample, UPS.com, and SGSN 1076 may receive the activation request frommobile subscriber 1055. SGSN 1076 may then initiate a Domain NameService (DNS) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.comAPN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server within the core network1070, such as DNS 1077, that may be provisioned to map to one or moreGGSN nodes in the core network 1070. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN1078 may access the requested corporate network 1089. The SGSN 1076 maythen send to GGSN 1078 a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) ContextRequest message that contains necessary information. The GGSN 1078 maysend a Create PDP Context Response message to SGSN 1076, which may thensend an Activate PDP Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 1055may then go through radio access network 1060, core network 1070, andinterconnect network 1080, in a particular fixed-end system, or Internet1084 and firewall 1088, to reach corporate network 1089.

Thus, network elements that can invoke the functionality of VoLTEmethods and systems such as those described herein may include, but arenot limited to, Gateway GPRS Support Node tables, Fixed End Systemrouter tables, firewall systems, VPN tunnels, and any number of othernetwork elements as required by the particular digital network.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 1100 in which the systems and methodsfor VoLTE methods and systems such as those described herein may beincorporated. As illustrated, architecture 1100 of FIG. 8 includes a GSMcore network 1101, a GPRS network 1130 and an IP multimedia network1138. The GSM core network 1101 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 1102, atleast one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1104 and a Base StationController (BSC) 1106. The MS 1102 is physical equipment or MobileEquipment (ME), such as a mobile telephone or a laptop computer (e.g.,mobile devices 102 and 210) that is used by mobile subscribers, in oneembodiment with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM). The SIM may includean International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which may be aunique identifier of a subscriber. The SIM may also include APNs. TheBTS 1104 may be physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enablesa radio interface to communicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve morethan one MS. The BSC 1106 may manage radio resources, including the BTS.The BSC may be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, incombination, are generally referred to as a base station (BSS) or radioaccess network (RAN) 1103.

The GSM core network 1101 may also include a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 1108, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1110, a HomeLocation Register (HLR) 1112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1114, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1118, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1116. The MSC 1108 may perform a switching function for thenetwork. The MSC may also perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1110 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1120. Thus, the GMSC 1110 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1112 may be a database that may contain administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. Such information may include APNs and APN profiles. The HLR1112 may also contain the current location of each MS. The VLR 1114 maybe a database that contains selected administrative information from theHLR 1112. The VLR may contain information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1112 and the VLR 1114,together with the MSC 1108, may provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 1116 may provide the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1118 may storesecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1109 allows one-to-one shortmessage service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), messages tobe sent to/from the MS 1102. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1111 is used to“push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to the MS1102. The PPG 1111 acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to the MS 1102. A Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 1113 may be provided to convert SMS-basedSMPP messages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulkmessages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as voice, data, short messageservice (SMS), and multimedia message service (MMS), the MS may firstregister with the network to indicate its current location by performinga location update and IMSI attach procedure. MS 1102 may send a locationupdate including its current location information to the MSC/VLR, viaBTS 1104 and BSC 1106. The location information may then be sent to theMS's HLR. The HLR may be updated with the location information receivedfrom the MSC/VLR. The location update may also be performed when the MSmoves to a new location area. Typically, the location update may beperiodically performed to update the database as location updatingevents occur.

GPRS network 1130 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1132, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1134. The SGSN 1132 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 1108 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 1102. TheSGSN may also keep track of individual MS's locations and securityfunctions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1133 may communicate cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile telephone customers whoare located within a given part of its network coverage area at the timethe message is broadcast.

GGSN 1134 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1136. That is, the GGSN mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks, and set up alogical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it may be transferred to an external TCP-IPnetwork 1136, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order toaccess GPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS networkby performing an attach procedure. The MS may then activate a packetdata protocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communicationsession between the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 1130 may be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkmay be indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages may direct anMS where to listen for paging messages and how to signal towards thenetwork. The network operation mode represents the capabilities of theGPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS may receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS maysuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS may bereceiving data and may not be listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS may monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceiving data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1138 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andmay include IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1140 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within IMS 1140 are a call/session control function (CSCF), amedia gateway control function (MGCF) 1146, a media gateway (MGW) 1148,and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS)1150. HSS 1150 may be common to GSM core network 1101, GPRS network 1130as well as IP multimedia network 1138.

IP multimedia system 1140 may be built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1143, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1142, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1144. TheP-CSCF 1142 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1140. TheP-CSCF 1142 may forward session initiation protocol (SIP) messagesreceived from the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa)of the MS. The P-CSCF 1142 may also modify an outgoing request accordingto a set of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

I-CSCF 1143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 1143 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 1145 to determine which HSS 1150 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 1150 are present. S-CSCF 1144may perform the session control services for MS 1102. This includesrouting originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 1144 may also decidewhether an application server (AS) 1152 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision may be based on information receivedfrom HSS 1150 (or other sources, such as application server 1152). AS1152 may also communicate to location server 1156 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 1102.

HSS 1150 may contain a subscriber profile and keep track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It may also supportsubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1150, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1150 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

MGCF 1146 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1140 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown.) It may also control themedia gateway (MGW) 1148 that provides user-plane interworkingfunctionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice.) MGW1148 may also communicate with other IP multimedia networks 1154.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile telephones may registerwith the wireless network when the telephones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.) When the mobile telephones leave the area, theymay register with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, does not indicate theactual physical location of the mobile telephones outside thepre-defined area.

FIG. 9 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which VoLTE methods and systems may be incorporated. Mobile Station(MS) 1401 is the physical equipment used by the PLMN subscriber. In oneillustrative embodiment, communications device 200 may serve as MobileStation 1401. Mobile Station 1401 may be one of, but not limited to, acellular telephone, a cellular telephone in combination with anotherelectronic device or any other wireless mobile communication device.

Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with Base Station System(BSS) 1410. BSS 1410 contains a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1411 and aBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 1412. BSS 1410 may include a single BSC1411/BTS 1412 pair (Base Station) or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which arepart of a larger network. BSS 1410 is responsible for communicating withMobile Station 1401 and may support one or more cells. BSS 1410 isresponsible for handling cellular traffic and signaling between MobileStation 1401 and Core Network 1440. Typically, BSS 1410 performsfunctions that include, but are not limited to, digital conversion ofspeech channels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, andtransmission/reception of cellular signals.

Additionally, Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with RadioNetwork System (RNS) 1420. RNS 1420 contains a Radio Network Controller(RNC) 1421 and one or more Node(s) B 1422. RNS 1420 may support one ormore cells. RNS 1420 may also include one or more RNC 1421/Node B 1422pairs or alternatively a single RNC 1421 may manage multiple Nodes B1422. RNS 1420 is responsible for communicating with Mobile Station 1401in its geographically defined area. RNC 1421 is responsible forcontrolling the Node(s) B 1422 that are connected to it and is a controlelement in a UMTS radio access network. RNC 1421 performs functions suchas, but not limited to, load control, packet scheduling, handovercontrol, security functions, as well as controlling Mobile Station1401's access to the Core Network (CN) 1440.

The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 1430 is aradio access network that provides wireless data communications forMobile Station 1401 and User Equipment 1402. E-UTRAN 1430 provideshigher data rates than traditional UMTS. It is part of the Long TermEvolution (LTE) upgrade for mobile networks and later releases meet therequirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)Advanced and are commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 1430 mayinclude of series of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B(eNB) 1431 and E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 1432. E-UTRAN 1430 may contain oneor more eNBs. User Equipment 1402 may be any user device capable ofconnecting to E-UTRAN 1430 including, but not limited to, a personalcomputer, laptop, mobile device, wireless router, or other devicecapable of wireless connectivity to E-UTRAN 1430. The improvedperformance of the E-UTRAN 1430 relative to a typical UMTS networkallows for increased bandwidth, spectral efficiency, and functionalityincluding, but not limited to, voice, high-speed applications, largedata transfer and IPTV, while still allowing for full mobility.

An example embodiment of a mobile data and communication service thatmay be implemented in the PLMN architecture described in FIG. 9 is theEnhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE is an enhancement forGPRS networks that implements an improved signal modulation scheme knownas 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGEmay achieve up to three times faster data rates as compared to a typicalGPRS network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable ofhosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since itmay provide increased functionality of existing network resources.Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later releases of theradio telecommunication standards, which provide for even greaterefficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, while still allowingimplementation on existing GPRS-capable network infrastructure.

Typically Mobile Station 1401 may communicate with any or all of BSS1410, RNS 1420, or E-UTRAN 1430. In a illustrative system, each of BSS1410, RNS 1420, and E-UTRAN 1430 may provide Mobile Station 1401 withaccess to Core Network 1440. The Core Network 1440 may include of aseries of devices that route data and communications between end users.Core Network 1440 may provide network service functions to users in theCircuit Switched (CS) domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both.The CS domain refers to connections in which dedicated network resourcesare allocated at the time of connection establishment and then releasedwhen the connection is terminated. The PS domain refers tocommunications and data transfers that make use of autonomous groupingsof bits called packets. Each packet may be routed, manipulated,processed or handled independently of all other packets in the PS domainand does not require dedicated network resources.

The Circuit Switched-Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 1441 is part ofCore Network 1440, and interacts with Visitor Location Register (VLR)and Mobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server 1460 and Gateway MSCServer 1461 in order to facilitate Core Network 1440 resource control inthe CS domain. Functions of CS-MGW 1441 include, but are not limited to,media conversion, bearer control, payload processing and other mobilenetwork processing such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 1440 mayreceive connections to Mobile Station 1401 through BSS 1410, RNS 1420 orboth.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 1442 stores subscriber data regardingMobile Station 1401 in order to facilitate network functionality. SGSN1442 may store subscription information such as, but not limited to, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), temporary identities,or Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. SGSN 1442 may also storelocation information such as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN) 1444 address for each GGSN where an active PDPexists. GGSN 1444 may implement a location register function to storesubscriber data it receives from SGSN 1442 such as subscription orlocation information.

Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1443 is an interface which provides connectivitybetween E-UTRAN 1430 and Core Network 1440. Functions of S-GW 1443include, but are not limited to, packet routing, packet forwarding,transport level packet processing, event reporting to Policy andCharging Rules Function (PCRF) 1450, and mobility anchoring forinter-network mobility. PCRF 1450 uses information gathered from S-GW1443, as well as other sources, to make applicable policy and chargingdecisions related to data flows, network resources and other networkadministration functions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 1445 mayprovide user-to-services connectivity functionality including, but notlimited to, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session anchoringand control, and IP address allocation for PS domain connections.

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 1463 is a database for user information,and stores subscription data regarding Mobile Station 1401 or UserEquipment 1402 for handling calls or data sessions. Networks may containone HSS 1463 or more if additional resources are required. Example datastored by HSS 1463 include, but is not limited to, user identification,numbering and addressing information, security information, or locationinformation. HSS 1463 may also provide call or session establishmentprocedures in both the PS and CS domains.

The VLR/MSC Server 1460 provides user location functionality. WhenMobile Station 1401 enters a new network location, it begins aregistration procedure. A MSC Server for that location transfers thelocation information to the VLR for the area. A VLR and MSC Server maybe located in the same computing environment, as is shown by VLR/MSCServer 1460, or alternatively may be located in separate computingenvironments. A VLR may contain, but is not limited to, user informationsuch as the IMSI, the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), theLocal Mobile Station Identity (LMSI), the last known location of themobile station, or the SGSN where the mobile station was previouslyregistered. The MSC server may contain information such as, but notlimited to, procedures for Mobile Station 1401 registration orprocedures for handover of Mobile Station 1401 to a different section ofthe Core Network 1440. GMSC Server 1461 may serve as a connection toalternate GMSC Servers for other mobile stations in larger networks.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1462 is a logical element which maystore the International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEI) for MobileStation 1401. In a typical embodiment, user equipment may be classifiedas either “white listed” or “black listed” depending on its status inthe network. In one embodiment, if Mobile Station 1401 is stolen and putto use by an unauthorized user, it may be registered as “black listed”in EIR 1462, preventing its use on the network. Mobility ManagementEntity (MME) 1464 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 1401or User Equipment 1402 if the devices are idle. Additional functionalitymay include the ability of MME 1464 to contact an idle Mobile Station1401 or User Equipment 1402 if retransmission of a previous session isrequired.

While example embodiments of VoLTE methods and systems have beendescribed in connection with various communications devices andcomputing devices and processors, the underlying concepts can be appliedto any communications or computing device, processor, or system capableof implementing VoLTE methods and systems described. The varioustechniques described herein may be implemented in connection withhardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both.The methods and apparatuses for VoLTE, or certain aspects or portionsthereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodiedin tangible storage media that is not a signal (i.e., not a transientsignal per se, not a propagating signal per se) such as floppydiskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storagemedium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by amachine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for VoLTE.In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, thecomputing device may include a processor, a storage medium readable bythe processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storageelements), at least one input device, and at least one output device.The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language, andcombined with hardware implementations.

Methods and systems for VoLTE may also be practiced via communicationsembodied in the form of program code that may be transmitted over sometransmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, throughfiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when theprogram code is received, loaded into, and executed by a machine, suchas an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a clientcomputer, or the like, the machine becomes an apparatus for VoLTE. Whenimplemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combineswith the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to invokethe functionality of VoLTE as described herein. Additionally, anystorage techniques used in connection with a VoLTE system may be acombination of hardware and software.

While VoLTE methods and systems have been described in connection withthe various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiments for performing thesame function of VoLTE without deviating therefrom. For example, oneskilled in the art will recognize VoLTE as described in the presentapplication may apply to any environment, whether wired or wireless, andmay be applied to any number of such devices connected via acommunications network and interacting across the network. Therefore,VoLTE methods and systems should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system comprising: a node; and a network devicecommunicatively coupled with the node, the network device comprising: aprocessor; and memory coupled with the processor, the memory comprisingexecutable instructions that when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to effectuate operations comprising: establishing a defaultbearer between the node and the network device, the default bearer beingassociated with a first Access Point Name (APN) residing on a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), the node wirelessly interfacing with theWTRU, the default bearer having a quality of service; transmitting afirst communication type between the network device and the node overthe default bearer; receiving, at the network device, a service request,the service request requesting the establishment of a dedicated bearerfor a transmission of a second communication type between the networkdevice and the node, the service request requesting that the dedicatedbearer have a quality of service higher than the quality of service ofthe default bearer, the service request originating from a second APNresiding on the WTRU; transmitting the second type of communicationbetween the network device and the node over the default bearer;establishing the dedicated bearer; and switching, after the dedicatedbearer is established, the transmission of the second type ofcommunication between the network device and the node from the defaultbearer to the dedicated bearer.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thededicated bearer is established after transmitting the second type ofcommunication between the network device and the node over the defaultbearer.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein establishing the dedicatedbearer further comprises establishing the dedicated bearer when arequired network resources are available.
 4. The system of claim 1,further operations comprising: determining, prior to transmitting thesecond type of communication between the network device and the nodeover the default bearer, that a required network resources to establishthe dedicated bearer are not available; and establishing the dedicatedbearer when the required network resources are available.
 5. The systemof claim 1, further operations comprising: improving the quality ofservice of the default bearer from an initial quality of service to animproved quality of service while the default bearer is transmitting thesecond type of communication between the network device and the nodeover the default bearer.
 6. The system of claim 1, further operationscomprising: establishing, at the network device in a network, a seconddefault bearer between the node and the network device, the seconddefault bearer being associated with a third APN residing on a secondWTRU, the node wirelessly interfacing with the second WTRU, the seconddefault bearer having a quality of service.
 7. The system of claim 6,further operations comprising transmitting the first communication typebetween the network device and the node over the second default bearer.8. A method comprising: providing a message for a network device,wherein based on the message a default bearer is established between anode and the network device, the default bearer being associated with afirst Access Point Name (APN) of a wireless transmit/receive unit(WTRU), the node wirelessly interfacing with the WTRU, the defaultbearer having a quality of service; transmitting a first communicationtype between the network device and the node over the default bearer;providing to the network device a service request, the service requestrequesting the establishment of a dedicated bearer for a transmission ofa second communication type between the network device and the node, theservice request requesting that the dedicated bearer have a quality ofservice higher than the quality of service of the default bearer, theservice request originating from a second APN associated with the WTRU;transmitting the second type of communication between the network deviceand the node over the default bearer; and after establishing thededicated bearer, transmitting the second type of communication betweenthe network device and the node from the default bearer to the dedicatedbearer.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the dedicated bearer isestablished after transmitting the second type of communication betweenthe network device and the node over the default bearer.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein establishing the dedicated bearer further comprisesestablishing the dedicated bearer when a required network resources areavailable.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining,prior to transmitting the second type of communication between thenetwork device and the node over the default bearer, that a requirednetwork resources to establish the dedicated bearer are not available;and establishing the dedicated bearer when the required networkresources are available.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:improving the quality of service of the default bearer from an initialquality of service to an improved quality of service while the defaultbearer is transmitting the second type of communication between thenetwork device and the node over the default bearer.
 13. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: establishing, at the network device in anetwork, a second default bearer between the node and the networkdevice, the second default bearer being associated with a third APNresiding on a second WTRU, the node wirelessly interfacing with thesecond WTRU, the second default bearer having a quality of service. 14.A node comprising: a processor; and memory coupled with the processor,the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by theprocessor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:providing a message for a network device, wherein based on the message adefault bearer is established between the node and the network device,the default bearer being associated with a first Access Point Name (APN)of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the node wirelesslyinterfacing with the WTRU, the default bearer having a quality ofservice; transmitting a first communication type between the networkdevice and the node over the default bearer; providing to the networkdevice a service request, the service request requesting theestablishment of a dedicated bearer for a transmission of a secondcommunication type between the network device and the node, the servicerequest requesting that the dedicated bearer have a quality of servicehigher than the quality of service of the default bearer, the servicerequest originating from a second APN associated with the WTRU;transmitting the second type of communication between the network deviceand the node over the default bearer; and after establishing a dedicatedbearer, transmitting the second type of communication between thenetwork device and the node from the default bearer to the dedicatedbearer.
 15. The node of claim 14, wherein the dedicated bearer isestablished after transmitting the second type of communication betweenthe network device and the node over the default bearer.
 16. The node ofclaim 15, wherein establishing the dedicated bearer further comprisesestablishing the dedicated bearer when a required network resources areavailable.
 17. The node of claim 14, further operations comprising:determining, prior to transmitting the second type of communicationbetween the network device and the node over the default bearer, that arequired network resources to establish the dedicated bearer are notavailable; and establishing the dedicated bearer when the requirednetwork resources are available.
 18. The node of claim 14, furtheroperations comprising: improving the quality of service of the defaultbearer from an initial quality of service to an improved quality ofservice while the default bearer is transmitting the second type ofcommunication between the network device and the node over the defaultbearer.
 19. The node of claim 14, further operations comprising:establishing, at the network device in a network, a second defaultbearer between the node and the network device, the second defaultbearer being associated with a third APN residing on a second WTRU, thenode wirelessly interfacing with the second WTRU, the second defaultbearer having a quality of service.
 20. The node of claim 19, furtheroperations comprising transmitting the first communication type betweenthe network device and the node over the second default bearer.